By Jenn Reid
April may be notorious for its showers, but there’s plenty to do in Toronto this month rain or shine. There’s sprawling annual festivals that take over the city like Hot Docs and Canadian Music Week, new exhibitions, excuses to get outdoors and wacky one-off events - pillow fight, anyone? Check out the best events happening this April in Toronto. [Photo courtesy of TIFF]
Hot Docs Film Festival is a can’t miss event for all of Toronto’s film fans. It’s the largest documentary film fest in North America with more than 200 films playing between April 27 and May 7. There will be documentaries exploring different subjects like Syria, true crime, politics, sports and just about anything else you can think of. The most anticipated movie of the festival this year is probably Bill Nye: Science Guy, and yes, Bill Nye will be there. Most of the movies are at Hot Docs Cinema and the TIFF Bell Lightbox.
The Images Festival is turning 30! The annual event is devoted to independent and experimental film, art and media installations. This year’s fest has 48 screenings, plus off-screen events and installations. Events take place at venues across the city, but the opening night film Tales of Two Who Dreamt is at the Royal Cinema. The film is about a Hungarian family seeking asylum in Canada. Tickets are $10 - $20.
What better place to celebrate Earth Day (April 23) than Evergreen Brick Works? The beautiful green space is starting to bloom once again and you can check out the spring flowers on a guided nature walk of the Don Valley. Bring gloves to pick up litter, too - it is Earth Day after all, and it’s important help out. The walk is free and starts at 10:30 a.m.
If you’re into live music, then April is the perfect month for you. Canadian Music Week is happening April 18 - 23 with concerts from artists like The Strumbellas, Hollerado, Good Charlotte, Big Sean and Tanya Tagaq. It’s a mix of all genres and, despite the name, plenty of international acts too. Wristbands are available, and it’s $75 to get access to all club shows or $150 for club shows and concerts at bigger venues, like the Indie Awards at the Phoenix.
There’s a new festival in town this month, celebrating Toronto’s caffeine addiction. The Toronto Coffee and Tea Festival takes place at 99 Sudbury on April 8 and 9, and celebrates all things coffee and tea, naturally. You can sample flavours and blends, shop for new drinks you can’t get anywhere else, and see what the city’s best baristas are up to. Tickets are $15.
Nothing says spring like flowers, and nobody does flowers like Georgia O’Keeffe. The Art Gallery of Ontario’s latest exhibit features more than 80 pieces from the iconic American artist, and this is the only North American stop for the travelling exhibition. Georgia O’Keeffe opens April 22 and runs until July 30.
People who celebrate 420 tend to do it anyway, but there is an excuse to celebrate for real at Yonge-Dundas Square. On April 20 from noon to seven p.m., there is a 420 party with live music, comedy, food and vendors. Activist Marc Emery is on site to speak, and musicians include Dylan Hennessy and jam band Must Stash Hat.
April 19 is National Canadian Film Day! The nation-wide event celebrates our country’s contributions to the world of film, with free screenings just about everywhere. You can catch showings of Canadian films like Polytechnique, The Breakaway, Last Days and Angry Inuk. There are also special screenings at TIFF Kids and Bloor Hot Docs Theatre. If you’re going to catch a movie, we recommend you go full-Canadian with the hockey comedy Goon playing at Humber Cinemas. The full list of Film Day screenings are here, and while they are free, some will require a ticket picked up in advance.
No, it’s not an April Fools joke! On April 1, people from across the city descend on Nathan Phillips Square for a pillow fight. It’s International Pillow Fight Day, and cities across the world are participating. For the Toronto edition, bring your own pillow (soft and feather-free, please) and start swinging. The event is free, kid-friendly and PJs are encouraged.
The TSO’s spring concert is all about the classic musicals from Rodgers and Hammerstein. The famous duo made 11 Broadway shows together, including The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Oklahoma! and The King and I. The concerts take place April 18 and 19 at Roy Thomson Hall.Tickets are $40 to $112.25.
There aren’t many film events catered just to kids, but the TIFF Bell Lightbox fills that void from April 7 to 23. TIFF Kids has film screenings, events and workshops all aimed at kids three to 13. The kid-friendly festival is celebrating its 20th year while Canada is celebrating its 150th, so there are special Canadiana screenings this year. Check out free screenings of Canadian short films, plus Anne of Green Gables and The Dog Who Stopped the War. It’s also your last chance to check out the digiPlaySpace!
